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Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Higgins Fused Glass Tidbit Tray
Located in Highland, IN
Michael and Frances Higgins’ distinctive designs in fused glass are rich and complex. This large tidbit or snack tray is a terrific example. The vivid peac...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Glass

Lucite and Brass Tortoise shell Large Tray, Italy, Mid-Century Moderne
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Lucite and brass tortoise shell large tray, Italy, mid-century moderne. This tray seems almost new, in the style of Willy Rizzo for Dior, all the chic of...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

Faux Turtle-Shell Lucite Round Tray. French Work. Circa 1970.
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This faux turtle-shell round tray is made of lucite. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Lucite

Glass Platter
Located in Chorzów, PL
A glass platter produced in Poland in the 1970s Very good condition Measures: Diameter 30cm.
Category

1960s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Glass

Set of Cathrineholm Silver Buffed Stainless and Porcelain Enamel Bowls
By Grete and Arne Korsmo, Cathrineholm
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Beautiful set of three Cathrineholm of Norway silver buffed stainless steel of highest quality and porcelain enamel bowls in white and cobalt blue on a ...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel, Stainless Steel

Modernist Glass Plate by Higgins
Located in New York, NY
Large glass plate, or charger, by recognized midcentury master Higgins (Michael and Francis). Nice clean signed example, free of damage or condition ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Art Glass

Tasca Nove, Italian Abstract Ceramic Platter, Alessio Tasca Era, Textured Glaze
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Fascinating abstract designed, hand painted ceramic platter from Tasca Nove, Italy from the 1950s. Quite possibly by Alessio Tasca Super palette of rich c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Serving Tray Handles Silver Plated Hammered Steel Mid-Century Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Square decorative serving tray made out of hammered cutout steel and silver plate handles. Mid-Century Modern Design made in America in the early 1970s. In pristine vintage conditi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate, Steel

Cartier Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Footed Plate
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern sterling silver footed plate. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Round and gently curved with short and flared foot. Fully marked includ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Longwy Dishe Mid-Modern Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Big dishes by Longwy with Medusa decor. Made in faience craquelée.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Faience

Majolica Oyster Platter Aetgina Vallauris circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Oyster Platter signed Aetgina Vallauris Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Italian MidCentury Serving Tray in Lucite, Rattan and Brass in Shell Shape, 1970
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous serving tray, in the shape of a shell, made of lucite, rattan and brass. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Braided rattan is cast within the Lucite acrylic material. Beautiful workmanship. The brass part is kept in original vintage version, with the patina from that time. Since the shape is as a shell, the tray inside...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

Silver "Baja" Centerpiece Bowl by Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This oblong silver plated centerpiece bowl is known as the "Baja" by Lino Sabattini. It is stamped "SABATTINNI" on the edge of the bowl and signed "LINO SABATTINO" with "BAJA B/239 C...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate

Trompe L' Oeil Crab Decorative Wall Plate in Majolica Ceramic
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching hand painted Majolica glazed ceramic crab and sea life trompe l'oeil wall plate, Portugal, 1940s-1950s. Such a realistic representation wi...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Set of 4 Preisner Pewter Beverage Cups and Tray
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful midcentury set of pewter cups and serving tray, platter. Stamped. Tray measures 10 inches in diameter x .5 deep Cups measure 3.25 inchres in dia...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Pewter

Glass Platter, Poland, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Salmon-colored glass platter Made in Poland in the 1960s Very good condition height 8cm, diameter 29cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Glass

1970s Fancy Wood Cutting Board Modern Charcuterie Serving Platter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Fancy wood cutting board Modern Charcuterie platter 1.25 tall x 18 w x 12 Preowned original vintage condition See images provided please.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Ceramic Platter by Nancy Wickham Boyd
Located in Littleton, CO
A spectacular hand-thrown earthenware ceramic platter with spiral motif and incised web overlay by Vermont studio potter Nancy Wickham Boyd. Ear...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Fish Serving Plate by Vallauris Signed Morvan, France, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful and large Mid-Century Modern fish serving plate in vallautis ceramic signed by Morvan. Great combination of colors. France, 1950s In an ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Large Decorative Plate by Roger Capron '1950s'
Located in London, GB
A large decorative platter by artist Roger Capron (1922 - 2006) who founded the craft-based workshop in Vallauris, France, l'Atelier Callis, w...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Designer, Ice Bucket, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A hammered brass ice bucket designed and produced by an Italian designer, Italy, 1940s.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

Dansk Lg Knife and Teak Cheese Board by Vivianna Torun Denmark
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted staved teak wood cheese board with carved out area to the top edge of the board for the handle of the knife to sit . The large st...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Circular Studio Pottery Tray with Purple Wheat
Located in Vallejo, CA
A vintage circular studio pottery tray. Nice large size, perfect for using as a serving dish or centerpiece. Features an offset handpainted wheat design i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Pottery

White Barbotine Asparagus Platter
By Barbotine
Located in Paris, FR
Charming white Barbotine asparagus platter with cover top in a very good condition.
Category

20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Faience

Studio Pottery Signed Charger, circa 1970
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Studio pottery signed charger / plate. Circa 1970.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

1980 Rattan, Cane & Bamboo Salza Dip & Tortilla Chips Serving Basket, Dish, Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern rattan and bamboo hand woven serving basket, dish or bowl for dip & tortilla chips snacks. Practical as a centerpiece on a boho chic party setting. Inside diamet...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Rattan

Large French Majolica Fish Platter Vallauris, Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica fish Platter signed Vallauris, Circa 1950. Measures: 18 inches by 10.5 inches.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Lucite and Glass Equestrian Barware Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Round Dorothy Draper style Lucite and Equestrian Etched glass top barware and serving tray with two handles.  
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Glass, Acrylic, Lucite

Fiber Glass Platter, with Decor of Hook and Fish, Rond Shape Italy 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
t is a round-shaped tray, made of fiberglass. It was made in Italy in the 1970s. The decorations that compose it are small fishes and hooks.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Fiberglass

Silver Plated Dish Representing a Fish, French Work, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This dish is representing a fish and is made of silver plated. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Jens H. Quistgaard Teak Serving Tray by Dansk
Located in New York, NY
A divided teak wood tray with an end-grain teak cutting surface and a recessed section, designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk. Branded "Dansk Designs Denmark IHQ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Teak

Early 20th Century Indian Traditional Wooden Hand Made Plate
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional hand-made wooden plate. Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain, circa 20th century. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Nest of Three Staved Teak Serving Trays by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Complete set of three staved teak serving trays by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Designed with a slight size disparity (small, medium, and large) to allow the trays to nest together whe...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Giant Life-Size Lamb Serving Platter by Franco Lapini, Italy, 1970
Located in Munich, DE
Franco Lapinis exquisite sculpture giant life size lamp platter made entirely of metal plated in silver and its surface is lightly textured to give it a...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate

Ceramic Stoneware Fruit Platter
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, We offer this beautiful Ceramic Stoneware Fruit Platter signed by G. Reni.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Stoneware

Shiny Red Mid Century Vintage Ceramic Plate by Gerard Hofmann Vallauris Pottery
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Gerard Hofmann Realised in vallauris circa 1950 Original and large shiny red ceramic plate Original perfect condition Signed under the base ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Early 20th Century Spanish Three Tier Dessert Stand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Three tier metal dessert plate from France. Made by unknown manufacturer, early 20th century. In original condition, with minor wear consisten...
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern French Faïence Orchies Moulin de Loupes Ombre Oyster Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Mid-Century Modern Era Majolica glazed French faïence Oyster plate, Orchies, circa 1950. Hand glazed in an ombre olive green on a bright white ground, showing six scallop shaped oyster wells that follow the rim with an additional shell shaped well in the center for sauce or lemons. The intensity of the glazing varies on each plate. Marked Orchies Moulin...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Large Majolica Oyster Platter Vallauris circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Oyster Platter Vallauris circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Iroquois China Samovar by Ben Seibel
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural ceramic samovar, ice tea, water dispenser, designed by Ben Seibel for the Iroquois China company. Rare hard to find form, in mint condition,...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Beige Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every inter...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Giltwood

G. Jensen Sterling Silver Charger/ Plate in Pyramid Pattern #600y from 1910s/20s
Located in New York, NY
Georg Jensen sterling silver charger / plate in Pyramid pattern number 600Y, designed by Harald Nielsen, with a beautiful geometr...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Fish Shaped Platter in Brown Majolica Glazed Ceramic, Portugal, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
A glazed ceramic large fish platter in brown and toffee colors manufactured by Secla ceramics factory. Portugal, 1960s. A very interesting piece du...
Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Enamel Lazy Susan by Marrell
Located in Riverdale, NY
California modern handmade Mid-Century Modern Lazy Susan server of wood with enameled copper bowls in vibrant pink and black by Marrell. Bowls sit on a hand made wood base with ball ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Vintage Deep Red Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every inter...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Giltwood

Carl Auböck Fondue Forks, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Set of 4 Fondue Forks, Austria 1960s. The measurements given apply to one fork. The box is 25.5 cm wide, 2cm deep and 7.5 cm high.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Steel

Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Low Profile Wenge Wood Serving or Dresser Tray
Located in Ferndale, MI
From the JHQ Dansk rare wood series. Wenge low serving or dresser top tray.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wenge

Pair of Midcentury Laminate and Brass Italian Trays Serving Pieces, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing pair of midcentury trays in plastic laminate with solid brass handles. These fantastic pieces were designed in Italy during the 1970s. This set is wonderful as the plastic...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Salad Servers in Horn, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck salad servers, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Horn

Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Bar Tray in Mid-Century Modern Style
Located in New York, NY
Georg Jensen, sterling silver bar tray in Mid-Century Modern style with beautiful geometric design, measuring 11'' by 11'' by 1/3'' in height,...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Barware Set Tray, Tongs and Corkscrew in Goatskin & Steel by Aldo Tura, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
Barware set composed of a serving tray, tongs and corkscrew in white goatskin and steel details by the Italian designer Aldo Tura. Made in Italy in the 1950s. The original label i...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Steel

Italian Designer, Ice Bucket, Copper, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A copper ice bucket produced in Italy, 1930s-1940s.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Copper

1960s Modernist Design Elegant Wood Nut Bowl + Nutcracker USA Patent
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Nut Bowl 1960s Modernist Designed Elegant Cherry Wood Nut Bowl with built in nutcracker Fabulous modern purposeful midcentury design. Inscription read...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

Early Chafing Dish /Pot Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Fondue Pot Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk A wood stand sometimes comes with this form. It is not with this pot. Chip to wood ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

Vallauris Ceramic Cheese or Dessert Platter
Located in Miami, FL
Ceramic cheese or dessert platter from Vallauris, circa 1950s. Very good vintage condition, no cracks or chips. Dimensions: 12" diameter x 1" he...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Carl Auböck Salad Servers in Horn, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck salad servers, Austria, 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Horn

Carl Auböck Horn Salad Servers, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck salad servers made of Horn, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Horn

Vintage Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Channeled Plate Charger Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Veined channeled Travertine Fratelli Manelli charger plate centerpiece with appropriate Fratelli Mannellli labels on underside, see pic.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Travertine

Mid-century Modern platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage platters and serveware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern platters and serveware made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original platters and serveware, popular names associated with this style include Jens Quistgaard, Dansk Designs, Robert Picault, and Tiffany & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for platters and serveware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $33 and tops out at $48,500 while the average work can sell for $578.

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